Get your Education

I followed a trail of comments on a friend's Facebook today, and felt like throwing up. She, unfortunately experienced the worst kind of insult, in her own Relief Society. Before I continue, I must say this: I know that the greatest calling a woman can have on this earth is to be a mother. I am looking forward to fulfilling this role more than any other in my mortal and immortal life. I would never give up that opportunity for anything: career, fortune, fame, travel, convenience. None of that even compares with the beauty and joy that comes from being a mother.

But, with those words firmly placed at the beginning of this post, I must also say that being a mother does NOT mean that the rest of your life is worthless, fruitless, wrong or evil. Especially when it comes to improving your mind. Getting your education is absolutely essential. As President Monson wisely stated, just a few years ago, in 2007:

"Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. Statistics reveal that at some time, because of the illness or death of a husband or because of economic necessity, you may find yourself in the role of financial provider. Some of you already occupy that role. I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such."

The women that I see as the greatest mothers in Zion pursued their education. Not all of them were able to finish, but ALL of them recognize the need to educate themselves in this life outside of diapers and the ABC's. They see the value in books, REAL books, not just Twlight and Anita Stansfield. They do their best to educate themselves in the happenings and events of this world we live in.

I feel bold enough (and angered enough) to say this: to those of you who believe that pursuing an Education is "a temptation" and evil, YOU ARE WRONG. A woman who is educated, smart, witty, and connected with the philosophies of the gospel through study, far surpasses those who stand idly by. Do I believe this should REPLACE being a mother? Absolutely not. I feel that my education will do nothing but enhance my ability to be a mother and send my children out into the world to change it. How can I expect them to change the world if I know nothing about it?

I know this to be true. I know that Heavenly Father desires His daughters to cultivate knowledge, to study, to read good literature, to learn science, history, art, all forms of education. The prophets, from ages and ages past, have taught this. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true for many reasons. And one of them, is because of the equality we see in the Divine Nature of men and women. We know that all children of God have value and that all must stand before Him at the judgment bar and show what they did with the talents He gave them just as they will be accountable for what they did in pursuit of a family. I am grateful for both opportunities I have in my life: to eventually be a mother, and to cultivate all the knowledge I can, so that I can become more like my Heavenly Father.


Counsel SPECIFICALLY to Women

“Seek to be educated in the highest meaning of the term; get the most possible service out of your time, your body and brains, and let all your efforts be directed into honorable channels, that no effort be wasted, and no labor result in loss or evil.”-Joseph F. Smith

“Too great care cannot be taken in educating our young ladies. … Let the women of our country be made intelligent and their children will certainly be the same. The proper education of a man decides his welfare; but the interests of a whole family are secured by the correct education of a woman.”-George Q. Cannon

"You belong to a church which espouses education. To you young women may I suggest that you get all the education you can. Train yourselves to make a contribution to the society in which you will live. There is an essence of the divine in the improvement of the mind."-Gordon B. Hinckley

"Even though some of you may be fully occupied with families and have little time for other things at this stage of your lives, you can enlarge your minds and broaden your understanding through the reading of good books." -Gordon B. Hinckley

“Remember, in the world before we came here, faithful women were given certain assignments while faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood tasks. For women, the important ingredients for happiness are to forge an identity, serve the Lord, get an education, develop your talents, serve your family, and if possible to have a family of your own." -Spencer W. Kimball

Tired

There are times, when I wonder why I must be cursed with a body that just--gets sick all the time. Perhaps it's a completely psychological thing, I just "get sick" because, at least it seems, the second I think about possibly catching the flu/a cold/strep throat/whatever, I get it. But the thing is, I don't WANT to be sick; so why does this happen?

I've had a sore throat for the last week or so. I thought it was because the air in Utah has been less than a little healthy, and so I just covered my mouth with a scarf and kept trudging up in the 800,000 stairs to campus every morning. But it's still here...am I sick? Is it allergies? Probably just allergies--

I don't know--it's just annoying. I'd like to stay healthy for an entire month during the winter, at least once. But until that sweet, wonderful month comes, I guess I will continue trudging up the hill until I feel better.

But I do feel better now that I've vented... thanks. :)

Upon England's Mountain Green

Dr. Talbot shared this poem with us while I was in London, and I loved it. I have been meaning to write about it somewhere besides my London Journal for ages--and now here it is.

And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon England's mountain green
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon these Clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
among these Dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of Burning Gold
Bring me my Arrows of Desire
Bring me my Spear: oh clouds unfold
Bring me my Chariot of Fire!

I will not Cease from Mental Fight
Nor Shall my Sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green & pleasant Land

-William Blake 1809

The beautiful idea of this poem, is that perhaps England is like Jerusalem- that Jesus Christ walked there. I know--perhaps a little far-fetched. But is it? Christ visited the Americas. He held and blessed the children of the ancient worlds--why not in England? It's a beautiful thought, one I like to think about here and there, and one that should be pondered often. Why wouldn't Christ visit every land? I know one day He will, but who says He hasn't already?

The Piss Boy

I am often surprised about all the random little things that people know--or don't know. I introduced an icon to my husband's family this week, which was actually a little embarrassing. I guess I just took it for granted that they knew about Brussel's famous Manneken Pis, or Statue of a Boy Peeing. I'd rather not go into details--just read about it yourself.

And look at some of the little boy's 600 costumes Here.

Anyway...
have a good day. :D

Calling me Home

I ran across a dear friend's blog today (a blog I am devastated to say I had never heard of before) and she calls it, "London Calling". On it, she places all the things that remind her of that beautiful city and why shes misses it. It was also her blog during our stay at the London Centre. It's beautiful and lovely, and the fabulous thing about Emily-is that she is a beautiful writer. I am so often inspired by her gorgeous thoughts and her stunningly beautiful spirit.

May I just say though, that this gorgeous insight into a bit of Emily is making me very homesick.

I miss London.

Rather desperately.

Currently

I am in the middle of 2 books. (Ok, I'm in the middle of like 20 if you count my textbooks but I don't). And I just can't stand that. I like to read ONE and then FINISH it before starting another. I don't know why I succumbed to the madness of reading more than one book at a time, but I did. And the horrible thing is, I've suddenly lost interest in both of them and I want to start something else! The problem is, one of the books was my birthday present from Derek this last year. I FINALLY got time to start reading over Christmas break (at least I thought I did) and so I started, My Dearest Friend, which is the personal correspondence of Abigail and John Adams. Then I got a David McCullough book from my sister & brother-in law. Well, I wanted to read that too! I guess I just feel obligated to finish them, so that Derek doesn't feel like his gift was unappreciated and when Lori/Steve ask me about the book, I can give a good honest opinion of whether or not I liked it (though, since it's David McCullough, I'm SURE I will love it. So, only reading 3 chapters is probably sufficient).

Now I'm just in a complete mess and feel like crying about it. (which is also ridiculous). I don't know why it's such a big issue, but somehow, with all the stress of everything else in my life, it just...is. :( I need something romantic--something intriguing-- something light--like Jane Austen or Charles Dickens. I'm dying to re-read Hard Times, which I bought for $3 with my sell-back money. Or pick up Mansfield Park again, or finally read Persuasion! Call me a psycho, but Dickens and Austen, Hawthorne and Shakespeare--those are my comfy reads. (Somehow Harry Potter fits into that collection, too. Don't ask me how.) And I am moving beyond want and feeling the need for reading something that interests me in the moment.

So, friends...what do I do? Abandon both books that I previously began and start anew? Or force myself to finish them even though it will take ages because I'm bored/not interested at the moment?

I think I should ENJOY the book I'm reading for pleasure....what do you think?

Pink=Perfect

So, I got an email about this camera from Amazon.com today, and can I just say---I'm in love. It's the perfect little point-and-shoot, throw it in my purse or pocket, take to Europe Camera. It's not even released yet, but I am so ready to order it right now.


Look at these Specs:

• 14-megapixel resolution for stunning prints up to 30 x 40 inches
• 8x optical zoom; 28 mm wide-angle lens
• 3-inch LCD with KODAK Color Science Technology
• 5.8 x 5.8 x 2.3 inches ; 13.6 ounces
• PINK!!!!
  

So-now I just wait-- Wait to read the reviews on it, wait for the price to maybe go down, wait because I need to collect about 20,000 pennies to pay for it, and...

wait because I need to convince Derek that a PINK camera is the way to go!

When I Grow Up

An amazing woman passed away this week. She calls herself "just an ordinary housewife and secretary," but she was so much more than that.

When I grow up, I want to be like Miep Gies.

Happier

So, Originally, I was going for "like the tube" look on my blog.

But, I need something happier up here for a while.

I'll probably return to gray and yellow eventually...but for now?

enjoy the bright colors. :D

The Stone Cutter

Once upon a time in Japan, there was a poor stone cutter named Hofus who used to go every day to the mountainside to cut great blocks of stone. He lived near the mountain in a little stone hut and worked hard and was happy.

One day he took a load of stone to the house of a rich man. There he saw so many beautiful things that when he went back to his mountain he could think of nothing else. Then he began to wish that he too might sleep in a bed as soft as down with curtains of silk and tassels of gold. And he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only were rich as he!" To his surprise, a great voice was heard: "Have thou thy wish!"

When Hofus returned home his house had become a palace filled with beautiful things. Hofus decided to work no more, but he was not used to being idle and one day as he sat by the window he saw a carriage dash past with a prince inside. It was drawn by snow white horses.

When the stone cutter saw this, he began to feel unhappy, and he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only a prince might be!" And again the same voice that he had heard on the mountain answered: "Be thou a prince!"

Straightway Hofus was a prince. He had servants dressed in crimson and gold, and for a short time he was happy, but one day, as he walked in the garden, he saw that the flowers were drooping, the grass was dry and brown. And when he rode out he felt the hot sun burn him in spite of his umbrella.

"The sun is mightier than I," thought he, and then he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only the sun might be!" And the voice answered: "Be thou the sun!"

Straightway the great sun he became. He burned the grass and rice fields. He dried up the streams.One day a cloud came and rested in front of him, and hid the earth from his sight. He was angry and cried: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only a cloud might be!" And the voice answered: "Be thou a cloud!"

Straightway a cloud he became. Then day after day the cloud dropped rain. The rivers overflowed and towns were swept away. Only the great rocks on the mountain side stood unmoved midst the flood. The cloud looked at them in wonder, then he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only a rock might be!" And the voice answered: "Be thou a rock!"

Straightway a rock he became. Proudly he stood. The sun could not burn him and the rain could not move him. "Now, at last," he said, "no one is mightier than I."

But one day he was wakened from his dreams by a noise, "tap! tap! tap!" down at his feet. He looked and there was a stone cutter driving his tool into the rock. Another blow and the great rock shivered; a block of stone broke away.

"That man is mightier than I!" cried Hofus, and he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only the man might be!" And the voice answered: "Be thou thyself!"

And straightway Hofus was himself again, a poor stone cutter, working all day upon the mountain side and going home at night to his little hut. Yet, he was content and happy and never again did he wish to be other than Hofus the stone cutter.

*Story Courtesy of Alisha*